Exploring Alternative Approaches to Cancer Treatment

"Every stress leaves an indelible scar, and the organism pay for its survival after a stressful situation by becoming a little older."
- Hans Selye

"How could I get cancer? I take all of these pills so faithfully!" I looked down the carefully printed list of herbs and antioxidants. I wasn't quite sure what to tell her.

Each newly diagnosed cancer patient compiles a list of medications at the first visit and, occasionally, he or she will bring a long list of nutritional supplements and mega-dose vitamins. For these individuals, I try to explore their confidence in non-traditional approaches. Before long, I am in over my head discussing treatments that are not in my training and drugs that are not in my textbooks.

Despite the shortcoming that many Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies have never been scientifically tested, cancer patients don't feel they can wait for the results of clinical research.

A study from Washington State based on insurance billing recently showed that cancer patients were significantly more likely to visit a naturopath or acupuncturist than were people without cancer. Almost 12% of cancer patients also received chiropractic care. Still, the cost of providing this CAM care was less than 2% of the cancer patients' overall medical bills. (Lafferty, Cancer 2004; 100:1522)

All of our patients need advice and comfort, and some will certainly benefit from CAM approaches. Great sources of information include the National Cancer Institute's Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Although some reports of "cancer cure" are clearly false (see Vickers, CA Cancer J Clin 2004; 54:110 for a review of debunked claims), actions that enhance wellness and relieve symptoms are intuitively beneficial.

I am open enough to realize that integrating non-traditional care makes sense for many people. We should be familiar with CAM techniques, guiding patients away from the harmful and recommending therapies when appropriate. It provides one more way for cancer care providers to heal patients during these times of unparalleled stress.

Bruce H. Campbell, MD, FACS
Professor of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences
Chief, Division of Head and Neck Oncology
Interim Director, Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center

"Reflections" is a collection of essays by the health professionals of the Medical College of Wisconsin.